Monday, September 21, 2009

What's your question?

Tom convinced me: it's time to do it.

Last week, I spent three days at our annual clergy conference at Conception Abbey in northern Missouri. It's a beautiful, holy, and peaceful spot.

Diocesan clergy heard from the Rev. Tom Ehrich, an Episcopal priest who used to be a reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Now, among other ministries, Tom is a syndicated columnist and church and business consultant.

He told us how he asked 1000 people a question:

What one question would you like to ask God?

He heard from virtually everyone he contacted and responded, answering each question as best as he could.

For some time now, I've thought about doing something similar here. Tom convinced me it was time to act.

So, here's my invitation: If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

1 comment:

So many come to mind. Some seem childish and selfish when I type them: Is my Mother in heaven with my Father? Will I join them? Do dogs/cats go to heaven? Some are silly: Can you create a rock so heavy you can't lift it? And some are more profound: What did the holocaust happen? If you want us to love you, why are you so hard to find? But when I stop and really center on Christ, my only question can be the one I ask everyday: How can I serve you more fully?

The secret is not in knowing the answers, but in asking the right questions.

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About Me

I was born in Louisville, KY. I am a proud Kentuckian and Louisvillian, I am also, by adoption, a proud Missourian, I am married to Penny. We met as undergraduates at the University of Louisville. She works in IT but regards herself, vocationally, as a painter. We have a daughter, Ckare, and two granddaughters, June Elizabeth and Christa Marie. I earned my bachelor's degree in history with honors at U of L. I worked in banking for several years, then for several years more in journalism and public relations as a writer, editor , and account manager. My background in finance, administration, and communication has been a blessing in my service to God. I earned my master's in divinity at The General Theological Seminary in NewYork City, I most recently earned another master's degree, this one from Missouri State University in English, with a creative writing emphasis. Since high school, I have been an avid writer, my work appearing in local, regional and national publications, including Sojourners, The Other Side, The Christian Century. While in seminary, I did freelance writing for the Episcopal Church and wrote three chapters of The Christian Sourcebook, published by Ballantine. I still write--fiction and poetry, essays for my online journal, and occasional newspaper columns. I have been rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO since 1995. I love the church and, most of all, the people,who love and serve Jesus. I love preaching, teaching,,writing and taking an active part in civic and community leadership.